What AELC providers do
- Clear referrals when a job is out of scope
- Documentation of conditions found during an AELC visit
- Work alongside specialty contractors when facilities coordinate it
Outside the AELC category
- Internal HVAC duct, coil and air handler cleaning (HVAC duct-cleaning contractors)
- Kitchen hood interiors, filters, exhaust ducts and fans (certified hood cleaners)
- Mold assessment and remediation (licensed remediation firms)
- Asbestos, lead and other hazardous-material work (licensed abatement contractors)
- Electrical, plumbing and refrigeration repair (licensed trades)
- Sprinkler heads, fire-alarm devices and fire-suppression systems (licensed fire-protection contractors)
- Roofing, exterior high-rise glass and structural work
- Combustible or unknown industrial process dust (industrial specialists)
Why it matters
Something being physically above eye level does not make it AELC work. Many overhead systems are regulated, and the right trade protects the facility, its occupants and its insurance.
More on why it matters
Clear boundaries help facility managers hire the right contractor the first time, and they keep AELC providers working only where they are trained.
How AELC providers clean out-of-scope work
Every provider follows the AELC Source-Control Method: capture the dust, don't move it.
- IdentifyEvery AELC visit starts with an inspection that looks for out-of-scope or hazardous conditions.
- StopIf a red-light condition is found, work in that area stops.
- EscalateThe provider documents the condition and tells the facility which trade to call.
Safety: when work stops
- Suspected asbestos, lead, mold, combustible dust, biohazards or damaged materials are STOP conditions in the AELC Method.
See all red-light conditions and what AELC does not do.
Who needs it most
What Above Eye Level Cleaning Does Not Include: FAQ
Why doesn't AELC clean inside air ducts?
Duct interior cleaning is a separate trade with its own equipment and standards. AELC cleans the visible exterior of ducts, registers and grilles.
Who cleans kitchen hood exhaust systems?
Certified hood-cleaning contractors, under local fire code. AELC providers clean the hood exterior and the surrounding ceiling and walls.
What happens if a provider finds mold?
Work in that area stops, the condition is documented, and the facility is advised to contact a licensed mold assessment or remediation firm.
Last updated October 4, 2026. Reviewed by the AELC Method team. Local services are performed by independently owned AELC Certified Providers. Above Eye Level Cleaning.